100 ampere disconnect push switch



July 7, 1959 J. A. HERRMANN ET AL lOO AMPERE DISCONNECT PUSH SWITCH Filed Dec JON/Y United States Patent O 2,894,080 o DIscoNNEcT PUSH SWITCH .lohn A. Herrmann, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Joseph A.

Messing and Jonah Wittenberg, Detroit, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Penn- Sylvania 'Application 'December 24, 1956, Serial No. 630,149 '5 Claims. (Cl. 200-6) Our invention relates to a disconnect switch and more particularly to a two pole switch having a single operating means that serves as an indicating device and in which the biasing means, while operating in only one direction, is defeated without the necessity for a latch.

For applications where space is at a premium, prior art switches present a problem in view of their large physical structure. In instances where compact construction has been attempted, the construction has been quite complicated and expensive.

We have overcome these problems of excessive bulk, complicated construction, and high cost by employing a two single pole unit, the operating handles of which are mounted in seesaw fashion to separate ends of a rocker arm. The rocker arm is in turn mounted at its center on a fixed pivotso that by pressing down on one end of the rocker arm the handle of one pole unit is depressed while the handle of the other pole unit is raised, with the reverse being true when the other end of the rocker arm is depressed.

` The operating handle of the first pole unit has a cam slot which is appropriately shaped so that by depressing the handle an electrical path is completed through this pole unit and by raising the handle the electrical path through this pole unit is broken. The operating handle of the second pole unit has a reverse cam slot so that by depressing the handle of this pole unit the electrical path is broken and by raising this handle the electrical path through this pole unit is complete. Thus this seesaw mounting arrangement enables the pole units lto be operated by a single operating means so that the electrical path through both units are completed and broken simultancously. That is by depressing oneV end of the rocker arm the operating handle of the first pole unit is depressed and the operating handle of the second pole unit is raised and electrical paths are completed simultaneously through both pole units. By depressing the other end of the rocker arm the operating handles are operated in reverse so that both electrical paths are broken. The use of a rocker arm provides convenient and positive indication to the sight or touch as to whether or not the switch is On or Off.

Each pole unit is identical to the other except for the shape of the cam slots previously described.

The internal, or operating mechanism, consists of iive parts, two stationary contacts, a contactor arm that bridges the two stationary contacts, a compression spring urging the contactor arm against the stationary contacts in butt contact, and an operating handle having a cam notch to control the position of the contactor arm. These parts are inexpensive as is the molded case which encloses the switch mechanism.

The contactor arm is arranged to pivot about one of the stationary contacts while making and breaking contact with the other stationary contact as the operating handle is raised and lowered. When the switch is Ofr, the force ofthe biasing spring is urging the contactor arm to pivot about one stationary contact -into engagement 2,894,080 Patented July 7, 1959 ICC with the other contact. This force is transmitted through `the contactor arm to the operating handle, but since since it is in a direction perpendicular to the operating movements of the handle, the handle will not be forced to the On position. Thus, the biasing spring, while operating in the same direction when the switch is On or Ofi, is defeated without the use of a latch while the switch is Oit.

With the construction disclosed currents in the order of ampers can safely be switched.

Accordingly, the primary object of our invention is to provide a double pole switch having a single control means which when pushed on one end opens both poles simultaneously and when pushed on the other end'closes both poles simultaneously.

Another object is to provide a disconnect switch having a single operating means the movement of which serves as a positive On-Off indicator.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a disconnect switch that does not require a latch to hold the contacts open or closed against the force of a biasing spring.

A further object is to provide a disconnect switch in which a force is not required to overcome the biasing means when the switch is operated from Ott to On.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a construction for a disconnect switch thatV will conserve space without sacrificing reliability.

Another object is to provide a disconnect switch having a few number of parts.

Another object is to provide asmall size disconnect switch that is capable of handling currents inthe other of 100 amperes.

Another object is to provide a push-push operating means for a disconnect switch.

Another object is to provide a disconnect switch hava biasing means that constantly urges a contactor arm into butt contact with a pair of stationary contacts, with a cam slotted operating handle serving to control the position of the contactor arm to engage and disengage one of the stationary contacts while remaining in pivotal engagement with the other stationary contact.

These and other objects of our invention will become apparent from the following description considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a two pole switch connected to the bus bars of a course of electrical energy, with the switch Off.

Figure 2 is a section through line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows 22.

Figure 3 is a section taken through line 3 3 of Figure l looking in the direction of the arrows 3 3.

Figure 4 is a section taken through line 4 4 of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows 4 4 with the switch Ott.

In Figure l, two single pole units 10-and -11 are mounted on the legs of an inverted U-shaped member 12 with the legs of the U-member 12 straddling a mounting plate 53 and the line terminals 33 connected to bus bars 54 by means of screws 55. The handles 25 and 45 of the pole units 10 and 11 are each connected to separate ends of a rocker arm 13 which pivots on the common plate 12. Except for their handles 25 and 45, the pole units 10 and 11 are identical in internal and external construction. The diierence in handle design permits the pole units 10 and 11 to be operated together by a single rocker arm 13 so that the cooperating contacts 30 and 21 of both units engage and disengage at the same time although one handle 25 is raised while the other handle 45 is lowered and vice versa.

Each pole unit 10 and 11 consists of an insulated case 40, which may be molded, inside lof whichthe operating mechanism is mounted, Referring to Figure 2, the operating mechanism of the pole unit consists of a lower contact 21 and an upper contact 22, both of which project through the case 40 to form line terminal 33 and load terminal 34 for external connections. A contactor arm 23 is employed to bridge the gap and make the electrical connection between the cotacts 21 and 22. Contactor arm 23 consists of a cam follower leg 29, contact legs 30 and 31 and a projection 32. The contactor arm 23 is constantly being urged upward by a compression spring 27 to make the electrical connection between contacts 21 and 22. Projection 32 serves to position the compression spring 27 on the contactor arm 23.

In Figure 2, when the handle 25 is depressed (in phantom) this pole is On. By raising the handle 25 to the position indicated by the solid line, the cam follower 29 will move to the left following the incline of cam surface 28a of notch 28 cut in handle 25 and the contactor arm 23 will pivot counterclockwise about projection 24 of the upper contact 26. This will cause the cooperating contacts 21 and 30 of pole unit 10 to disengage. The handle 25 is limited in its upward travel by the barriers 36 of the case 40 which strike the projections 35 of the handle 25. Cam follower 29 is now in contact with a vertical face of cam surface 28a of notch 28 and the force of spring 27 is now acting at right angles to surface 28a and therefore cannot force the handle 25 to its On position.

When handle 25 is in its depressed position (in phantoms) the switch is On and there is a space 51 between the cam follower 29 and the cam surface 28a to insure that the contactor arm 23 will be free to move under the influence of spring 27 until the cooperating contacts 21 and 30 are in engagement.

Figure 3 illustrates pole unit 11 which is identical to pole unit 10 except for the design of its handle 45. The handle 45 and contactor arm 23 drawn in phantom indicate the pole unit 11 is in the On position with cooperating contacts 21 and 30 engaged. Handle 45 and contactor arms 23 shown in solid lines indicate the positions of the parts when pole 11 is Off.

The handle 45 of pole unit 11 has a cam slot 48 with a cam surface 48a designed to act upon cam follower leg 29 to open the cooperating contacts 21 and 30 when the handle 45 is depressed and to allow spring 27 to close the contacts 21 and 30 when handle 45 is raised. In addition, the lower vertical face of cam surface 48a prevents the spring 27 from returning handle 45 from the Off to On position unless` the left end of rocker arm 13 is depressed. When pole unit 11 is On there is a space 52 between cam follower 29 and cam surface 48a to insure that the contactor arm 23 will be free to move under the influence of spring 27 until the cooperating contacts 21 and 30 are in engagement.

Thus, we have provided a switch having a bridging member, one arm of which is always in butt contact with one of the stationary contacts. When the switch is Off the biasing means is acting in the same direction as before but its force is defeated by the eamming arrangement that has rotated the bridging member. Therefore, it is not necessary to employ a latch to defeat the biasing means and keep the switch open. As the switch is moved from open to closed it is not necessary to overcome the biasing force since the biasing force need not be repositioned to act in another direction.

Referring to Figure l, the pole units 10 and 11 are shown mounted to the inverted U-shaped plate 12 by means of tabs 42 that mate with recesses 58 in the caso 40. Insulated backing plates 41 are interspaced between the pole units 10 and 11 and the plate 12. The pole case 40 is provided with Ventilating holes 43 to prevent the buildup of gas pressure. Terminals 33 and 34 are large to afford generous cooling surfaces. A lug 44 is affixed to terminal 34 to provide means for securing an external electrical conductor.

The control means consists of rocker arm 13 pivoted about the common plate 12 with pole units 10 and 11 being connected to the rocker arm 13 by means of a bolt 38 which pass through the clearance holes 37 in the handles 25 and 45 and slots 57 in the rocker arm 13. Nuts 39 mate with screws 38 to secure these connections.

One end of the top surface 50 of rocker arm 13 is marked On and the other end is marked Off. The end of rocker arm 13 marked On is connected to handle 25 of unit 10 while the end of rocker arm 13 marked Off is connected to handle 45 of unit 11.

Therefore, when the end of rocker arm 13 marked On is depressed, handle 25 of unit 10 will be lowered permitting spring 27 to urge contacts 21 and 30 of unit 10 into engagement. At the same time the end of rocker arm 13 marked Off will rise, carrying handle 45 of unit 11 with it and thereby permitting spring 27 to urge contacts 27 to urge contacts 21 and 30 of unit 11 into engagement. In this manner it is seen that both pole units 10 and 11 will close their respective associated circuits simultaneously. Conversely, when the end of rocker arm 13 marked Off is depressed the reverse cycle occurs with handle 25 being raised and handle 45 being lowered to disengage contacts 21 and 30 of their respective pole units 10 and 11 simultaneously and thereby open their respective circuits.

The position of rocker arm 13 will give a convenient and positive indication to the sight or touch of the position of the switch. That is, the switch is On when the end of the rocker arm marked On is depressed and Off when the end marked Off is depressed. The indication is positive in that there is a direct connection from the rocker arm through the operating handles to the contactor arms.

Although we have described the preferred embodiment of our invention as being a two pole device, it is obvious that the concept of our invention may readily be adapted to a switch having any number of poles. Accordingly, we prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure set forth herein but only by the appending claims.

We claim:

l. A disconnect switch being comprised of a first contact, a second Contact, an operating handle and a contactor; said rst contact being spaced from said second contact; said operating handle operatively connected to said contactor to control the position of said contactor; said contactor comprising a first and a second arm and a follower leg; a biasing means urging both of said arms into butt contact with said contacts; said operating handle having a cam slot operatively engaging said follower leg; said arms bridging a gap between said contacts `when said handle is in a first position; said contactor being pivoted about said first contact against the force of said biasing means when said handle is moved in a first linear direction to a second position; said second arm of said contactor being moved in said first linear direction when said handle is moved in said first linear direction and thereby being separated from said second contact; said cam slot being effective to defeat the force of said biasing means when said handle is in second position.

2. A disconnect switch being comprised of a first contact, a second contact, an operating handle and a contactor; said first contact being spaced from said second Contact; said operating handle operatively connected to said contactor to control the position of said contactor; said contactor comprising a first and a second arm and a follower leg; said arms extending in opposite directions from said follower leg; a biasing means comprising a coil spring urging said arms into butt contact with said contacts; said operating handle having a cam slot operatively engaging said follower leg; said arms bridging a gap between said contacts when said handle is in a first position; said contactor being pivoted about said first contact against the force of said biasing means when said handle is moved in a first linear direction to a second position; said second arm of said contactor being moved in said rst linear direction when said handle is moved in said first linear direction and thereby beng separated from second contact; said cam slot being eliective to defeat the force of said biasing means when said handle is in second position; said biasing means acting in the same direction -when said handle is in its said first and second positions and when said handle is being moved between said iirst and second positions.

3. A disconnect switch being comprised of a first contact, a second contact, an operating `handle and a contactor; said first contact being spaced yfrom said second contact; said operating handle operatively connected to said contactor to control the position of said contactor; said contactor comprising a iirst and a second arm and a follower leg; a single biasing means urging said rst and second arms into butt contact with said contacts; said operating handle having a cam slot operatively engaging said follower leg; said arms bridging a gap between said contacts when said handle is in a rst position: said contactor being pivoted about said iirst contact against the force of said biasing means when said handle is moved in a rst linear direction to a second position; said second arm of said contactor being moved in said rst linear direction when said handle is moved in said first linear direction and thereby being separated from second contact; said cam slot being eective to defeat the force of said biasing means when said handle is in second position; said biasing means acting in the same direction when said handle is in its said rst and second positions and when said handle is being moved between said first and second positions; said biasing means being operatively positioned to exert a force upon both of said arms in the same direction urging said contactor into engagement with said contacts during the entire movement of said operating handle between said first and said second position.

4. A multpole disconnect switch being comprised of a first and second pole unit; a control means; each of said pole units being comprised of a rst contact, a second contact, an operating handle and a rigid contactor; said first contact being spaced from said second contact; said operating handle operatively connected to said contactor to control the position of said contactor; said contactor comprising a rst and a second arm and a follower leg; a biasing means urging said arms into butt contact with said contacts; said operating handle having a cam slot operatively engaging said follower leg; said arms bridging a gap between said contacts when said handle is in a iirst position; said contactor being pivoted about said rst contact against the force of said biasing means when said handle is moved in a rst linear direction to a second position; said second arm of said contactor being moved in said first linear direction when said handle is moved in said iirst linear direction and thereby being separated from said second contact; said cam slot being effective to defeat the force of said biasing means when said handle is in said second position, said cam slot of said second pole unit being reversed to said cam slot of said first pole unit; said rst and second positions of said handle of said second pole unit being reversed to said iirst and second positions of said handle of said iirst pole unit; said control means having a iirst end operatively connected to said rst poile unit and a second end operatively connected to said second pole unit; movement of said rst end in a rst direction simultaneously moving said contactors to bridge said gaps between said contacts and movement of said second end in said rst direction simultaneously moving said contactors to open said gaps between said contacts.

5. A multpole disconnect switch comprising a first and a second pole unit; a control means having a first end pivotally connected to said rst pole unit and a second end pivotally connected to said second pole unit; said control means being pivotally mounted at a point intermediate to said ends whereby said pole units are con- .nected by said control means in a seesaw arrangement;

each of said pole units comprising an insulated case, a rst contact, a second contact, a rigid contactor, an operating handle, and a single biasing means; said first contact being spaced 4from said second contact; said contactor comprising a first and second arm Iand a follower leg; said arms extending in opposite directions from said follower leg; said operating handle having a cam slot operatively engaging said follower leg; said biasing means comprising a single coil compression spring positioned at one end against the insulated case and at the other end against said contactor arms; said biasing means urging said contactor arms into butt contact with said iirst and second contacts; said arm bridging the gap between said contacts when said handle is in a rst position; said contactor being pivoted about said first contact against the force of said biasing means when said handle is moved in a rst linear direction to a second position; said second arm of said contactor being moved in said rst linear direction when said handle is moved in said rst linear direction and thereby being separated from said second contact; said cam slot being operatively constructed and positioned to defeat the force of said biasing means when said handle is in said second position; said cam slot of said second pole unit being reversed to said cam slot of said first pole unit; said rst and second positions of said handle of said second pole unit being reserved to said first and second positions of said handle of said iirst pole unit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,846,513 Douglas Feb. 23, 1932 2,277,555 Meuer Mar. 24, 1942 2,503,409 Platz et al. Apr. 11, 1950 2,660,629 Lucas Nov. 24, 1953 2,748,205 -Forstrom May 29, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 884,232 France Apr. 19, 1942 620,962 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1949 

